John H Duke

Date of Birth

College

Job(s)

Service number

Unknown

WW1 rank

Staff Captain, Sergeant

Essex Regiment

Date of death

22 April 1918

Buried/memorial

Mendinhem Military Cemetery (Grave/Memorial reference: X. B. 43)

Awards/Honours

Military Cross

Biography

Staff Captain John H Duke was the son of Richard Reginald and Alice Duke. Duke attended Borough Road College for two years, competing in cricket and football for the college. He is listed as being destined for a school in Winchfield. He had been a Methodist preacher before enlisted into the East Kent Regiment in September 1914, becoming Sergeant in February 1916 and later Captain of the 11th Battalion Essex Regiment. Duke was awarded the Military Cross for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’, given for his fervor during two days of strenuous fighting. Duke was shot by enemy aircraft while in the Officers’ mess and died of his wounds on 22 April 1918 aged 28.